Gate-latch.



F. W. LILLY.

GATE LATCH.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-30.1913.

I Patented May 30,1916.

W! NESSES J'NVENTOR I I Atlormy UNITED TATE PATENT @FFTQE.

FRANKLIN W. LILLY, OF WINLOCK, WASHINGTON.

earngna'ron.

Application filed January 30, 1913.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANKLIN W. LILLY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Winlock, in the county of Lewis and State of Washington, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gate-Latches, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention has relation to gate latch mechanism and broadly includes a novel combination of elements designed to assure the rigidity of the gate when in a locked position, and facilitate the unlocking thereof when desired.

More specifically the device includes a pivoted actuating member of such construction, to automatically return the latch bolt to its normal position after the gate is unlocked.

Means in the form of suspended cable lines may be employed in view of unlocking the gate when desired, from a distance.

With the above and various other objects in view, my invention relates to such details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the sev eral views and in which:

Figure 1, is a side elevation of an ordinary gate showing my invention in place thereon, Fig. 2, is a side elevation of my invention illustrating the latch bar and latch operating element, and Fig. 3, is a fragmentary view of the device illustrating the method of preventing the accidental dislodgment or removal of the latch member.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing wherein is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10 designates a gate supporting post, which is usually constructed of wood, however, it will be recognized that any other material may be substituted if desired.

The gate in connection with which my invention has been illustrated consists essentially in a metallic frame 11 of an elongated form, one end of which is hingedly connected to the post 10 for allowing longitudinal oscillatory movement thereto. A multiplicity of longitudinally and laterally uniformly spaced parallel extending bracing wires are employed upon the frame consequently pro- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 30, 1916.

Serial No. 745,233.

viding a completely reinforced durable structure.

While my invention is herein disclosed in correlation with a metallic gate, it is apparent that it may be used in connection with other forms when desired.

My invention consists more essentially in a lathy body portion 12 of such diameter that it may be snugly fastened upon the gate in the manner shown in Fig. 1 without in any way injuring the appearance thereof. The forward end of the body portion is bent as shown at 13 to form a contingent section 14 which when in place engages the forward free end of the gate in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1 and obviously obviates the accidental displacement of the body portion due to constant jarring. A substantially U- shaped bracket 15 is provided upon the up per face of the body portion adjacent its rear end, the parallel side portions of the bracket being provided with right angle feet portions 16 as shown, whereby it may be easily and securely connected to the body portion when desired.

With a view of securing the feet portions 16 of the bracket 15, in place, and at the same time providing means for securing the body portion about the upper part of the frame of the gate, a yoke 17 is employed, the upper portions thereof being screw threaded as shown and received through the. body portion and feet elements 16 for engagement with fastening member 18 of the usual type. Thus it is recognized that the upper portion of the frame of the gate is received through the yoke and by securing the fastening members 18 tightly into place, it is recognized that the rear portion of the body of the device is held in a secure position.

Another bracket 19 of similar cross section to the bracket 15 is provided upon the body of the device adjacent its forward eX- tremity. This bracket however, being of greater length than the bracket 15 for the purpose that will presently appear. Longitudinally extending flanges 20 are provided upon the second bracket 19, another yoke 21 being employed for securing these flanges to the body portion and at the same time providing means for engagement with i the upper portion of the frame Work of the gate. In this instance other fastening members 22 are employed for securing the upper ends of the second yoke 21 in place.

The body portion of the device as well as the brackets 15 and 19 and yokes 17 and 21 respectively, are all shown formed of metal. l/Vhen constructing the parts in this manner, it is recognized that the cost of manufacture of the device is reduced materially yet with a view of increasing the'durability of the apparatus.

Experimentation has adduced that athird yoke 23 is essential to assuring the complete rigidity of the body portion upon the gate. This yoke, or rather the side portions thereof are j ournaled through the depending section 14 of the body and held in place in engagement therewith by fastening members 24 of the usual construction. This yoke is as shown in Fig. 1, adapted to engage the forward free end of the gate thus preventing the longitudinal movement as well as the lateral movement of the section.

The latch member of the device consists of an elongated structure 25, which is enlarged at its forward end as shown at 26 to form a shoulder 27 of suiiicient strength to limit the movement of the latch member at certain times as presently described. In its normal position, the latch member is received through the brackets 15 and 19 respectively, its enlarged end being disposed within the bracket 19. A pin 28 is journaled transversely through the bracket 19 at such a height as to permit free slidable movement of the body portion of the latch member, however this pin is provided with a metallic sleeve 29 which is engaged by the shoulder 27 during the movement of the latch member, the pin serving to prevent or to limit the backward movement of the latter as is obvious.

A link 30 is pivoted upon the bracket 19 through the medium of the pin 28, the said link in turn being pivotally connected as shown at 31 to a bell crank lever 32. The last mentioned lever as shown, has pivotal engagement as at 33 with the latch member interadjacent its extremities and is of such weight as to normally hold. the samein its foremost position upon the body.

Here particular reference is called to the construction of the lever 32. While it is of the bell crank type, one portion thereof is considerably longer than the other, the longer portion being at its free end while the shorter section is pivoted to the latch member. Through action of gravity, the longer portion of the lever. tends to move downwardly in relation to the structure, consequently normally holding the latch member in its most forward position in re lation to the entire device.

With view of manipulating the latch member in a manner to draw the same out of engagement with a socket 34, on the gate post '35, a chain 36 is provided, one extremity thereof having engagement with the latch member as illustrated while its upper extremity is attached to the oppositely extending cable portions 37. A pulley 38 is provided at the connection of the cable portions in order that friction generated will be materially decreased. tions mentioned, extend in opposite directions along the sides of the rod if desired, and provide means whereby the operator of a vehicle may open the gate without the necessity of leaving the wagon or machine.

The greatest of stress is laid upon the novel operating means of the present invention, with view of the automatic mechanism for returning the latch member to place after being operated.

The advantages resultant from the use of my invention are thought to be readily recognized by those conversant with the crude and unsatisfactory devices heretofore provided in this art.

Such changes as are permissible by the subjoined claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my inventron.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a device of the character described, a body portion, a section depending therefrom, a pair of spaced apart brackets pro vided upon the upper face of said body portion, contingent yokes for securing said brackets in place, a yoke provided upon said section, an elongated latch member slidably mounted through said brackets, means in one of said brackets for limiting the rearward movement of said latch member, a link pivoted upon one of said brackets, a bell crank lever pivoted upon said member, interadjacent said brackets, means connecting said link and said lever, means for operating said latch member, said lever automatically returning the same to its normal position, as and for the purpose set forth and described.

2. In a device of the character described, a body portion, a section contingent from one end thereof, brackets disposed upon said body portion, means for securing said brackets in place, a latch member slidably mounted through said brackets, said latch member provided with an enlargement adjacent one end, a transverse pin provided in one of said brackets, said pin engaging said enlargement whereby the rearward movement of said latch member is limited, means for op erating said latch member and means for automatically returning said latch member to its normal position, as and for the purpose set forth and described.

3. In a device of the character described,

a body portion, a section contingent from one end thereof, spaced apart brackets disposed upon said body portion, yokes for securing said brackets in place, alatch mem- The cable porher slidably mounted through said brackets, means for limiting the movement of said latch member, said means comprising a transverse pin carried by one of said brackets, a metallic sleeve on said pin, a bell crank lever pivoted upon said latch member inter-adjacent said brackets, a link connecting the said lever and one of said brackets, means for operating said latch member and said lever automatically returning said 10 latch member to its normal position, as and for the purpose set forth and described.

7 FRANKLIN W. LILLY. Witnesses:

H. F. WARNE, ETHEL WARNE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner or Patentn,

Washington, D. 0. 

